Cusp-diaphragm mechanism.



F. E. MILLER.

C U SP DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM.

T. 16, 1916. 1,220,669. Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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CUSP DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM.

4 I APP 1,220,669. Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED SEPT-16.1916.

Patmed Mar. 27,1917.

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F. E. MILLER. CUSP DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I6, 1916.

1,220,669. Patented Mar. 27,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- 5 nue ni'oz F. E. MILLER.

CUSP DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16. 1916.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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alivew foz Hmz/r E M 2/18! 4H.) $301M) FRANK E. MILLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CUSP-DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

Application filed September 16, 1916. Serial No. 120,452.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FRANK ll. Mnalan, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cusp- Diaphragm Mechanisms, set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to sound functioning mechanism, specifically of the type in which a train of electric variations reproduce sound-viln'ations and generically including also such mechanism as that in which sound vibrations are caused to reproduce corresponding electric variations. More particularly, my invention relates to electromagnetic telephones, particularly to the receiver mechanism but generically also to the transmitting mechanism.

'ly invention bears a close relationship to the organic mechanism of the human ear, although the organic mechanism of the human ear operates to translate sound vibrations into a nerve transferable train of variations capable of perception by the human brain. I believe that this natural organic mechanism forms the best suggestive exemplification of mechanism capable of operating in the reverse order, that is, from a train of energy variations such as electric variations to sound waves. My anatomical studies and my development of vocal art science have taught me that there must be a coordination between the kinds of sound commonly produced by the human species and the shape of the tympanum of the human ear, which tympanum primarily conveys the disturbance of sound waves to the remaining mechanism of the ear. tympanum or the human ear diaphragm is not a disk-shaped diaphragm like-the metallic diaphragm common in'telephone receivers. On the contrary, it 'is very materially dished and the dishing is eccentric, the apex of the dished configuration being called the umbo. I have discovered that the resonating cavities-of the human voice anatomy bear the proportion one to the other of 3:4:5. These cavities are respectively the laryngeal cavity, the nasal cavities and the mouth cavity. It also appears th'at the human tympanum has likewise three v1bra tory zones in different major planes but merging one into the other, which roughly approximate the same proportlon of 324:5. The human tympanum is so small that it .s

The

dilficult by measurement to prove this 3:415 configuration, but it is probably true.

An object of my invention is to form and combine means for artificially coordinating sound vibrations and electric variations in a manner analogously following the organic mechanism of the human ear and including a sound functioning diaphragm which is cocentrically dished in a manner approximating the human tympanmn, and electro-magnetic means to function with the said diaphragm. A further object of my invention is to adapt a lever system of a type and in a manner simulating the system of bone levers of the human ear, for relatively coordinating electro-magnetic means and a diaphragm like that of the tympanum. Still further objects of my invention are to intrcduce into an artificial sound functioning.

mechanism as many of the similar organic refinements of mechanism present in the human car as can be correlated in an arti ficial mechanism, to produce an improvement in the artificial translation of sound with its various tonic variations.

Thus, as a functioning object of my invention, I have in mind the improvement broadly in the tonic and quality-"faithfulness in the artificial translation of sound.

The above will be better understood by reference to the illustrative embodiments of my invention, to which the accompanying claims are directed as examples merely, which are described in the following specification and which are shown in the accom panying drawings forming a part hereof. In the drawings Figure 1 is a transverse elevation of a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in. section and partly in diagram, with the ear piece removed, of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary perspective of the mounting ring for a diaphragm; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a part of the diaphragm mounting and a cooperating registering part of the housing; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modification; Fig. 6 is a bottom view taken along line VI-VI of Fi 5, with the ear niece removed; Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section ofa-nother modification, with the ear piece removed; Fig. 8 is a view correspond- :ing to Fig. 7 of still another modification;

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams, showing different relative positions for the elactro-m agnetic means and the diaphragm; Fig. 11 1s a view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing still another modification; and Fig. 12 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 11, with the ear piece removed and partly in diagram.

I have shown my invention embodied in a telephone or what is sometimes known as a receiver A, in which 1 isa suitably shaped housing and :2 a suitably shaped ear piece, both formed of any of the well known structural materials, suitable for such articles, for example, hard rubber, vulcanized fiber, and the like. Electric connections 3 for the apparatus are indicated in the form of leads for the set of one or more electro-magnetic coils 4, two coils lating medium between sound vibrations of the air from the outside space 6 and corresponding vibrations of a mechanical part. It is to be understood, of course, that the diaphragm 5, from its own vibration, may produce the sound vibration in the air, or, reversely, the sound vibration in the air may produce the vibration in the diaphragm.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the set of coils 4 and their cores 7 of magnetic material embody means vfor cooperatively relating the circuit means 3 with the diaphragm 5, while the cores 7 illustrate an embodiment of magnetic means cooperatively relating the coils 4 with the diaphragm 5. In the embodiments of other figures in the drawings additional elements besides the core or cores may be included in the means for cooperatively relating an electric circuit means with the diaphragm, all as will presently appearfroma detailed description of the figures.

' Ebebodz'pwnt of Fi /8,1, a, 3 ad 1,.

A satisfactory manner in which to construct the cusp-shaped diaphragm 5 is first to have an expert engraver faithfully reproduce by eye-comparison a replica of both the anterior and the posterior walls of a freshly dissected human tympanum. It has been found that this means of reproduction ismore accurate than attempted measurements with the medium of instruments. With the wooden replicae thus constructed by the engraver as a miniature pattern, form-corresponding full-sized male and female dies can be formed, the operative portions of which should approximate phragm may then be stamped between the full sized dies constructed to reproduce the diaphragm, faithfully embodying the proportions of the human tympanum, care being taken to leave a flat circular. margin 8 around the periphery of the dished portion 9 of the diaphragm. Sheet steel or sheet metal of the kind sometimes known as tin-type metal, or of the kind commonly employed in the flat diaphragms in telephone receivers of commerce has been found to be suitable material for the construction of the diaphragm.

If desired, a less accurate reproduction of the configuration of the human tympaamm may be employed. For such reproduction a forming die may be constructed by employing first a circlelO of the appropriate diameter for the dished portion; laying off three equi-distant points 11,12 and 13 therein; determining locality 14 such that the line 111%: line 1214: line 131&:3: 1:5. This may be done by approximations or by the solution of a somewhat difiicult formula. The forming die should then be constructed so that the apex or umbo of the dished formation corresponding to the point 14 is approximately one-seventh of the diameter of the circle 10 below the plane of the periphery or margin 8 for the finished diaphragm. The curved surfaces 15, 16 and 17, demarked by the lines from the point 14 to the points 11, 12 and 13 should merge gradually one into the other without any marked definition. With dies constructed in this manner suitable diaphragms may be stamped in a manner well known in the art and it is such .diaphragms that are illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, S, 9 and 10.

In the organic mechanism of the human ear the tympanum is marginally retained by what is known as the tympanic ring, which is a tensed ring. In my structure I more or less faithfully reproduce the tympanic ring as, for example, by means of a binding ring 18 providing a channel 19 for the receptionof the margin 8 of the diaphragm and opposing clamping flanges 20 and 21, the flange 2-1 being of less radial extent pref erably. In constructing the ring 18 of any suitable material such as sheet metal, it may preferably have a lap-joint 22 111 which a portion 23 of'the flange 21' may lap a portion 24 of the flange 20. The-margin 8 of the diaphragm 5 may be inserted in the channel 19 when the ring-18 is open as Kr Mp shown in Fig. 3, and then by closing the ring 18 in the direction of the arrows the structure may be fastened together, with the diaphragm under pressure along its margin, by the insertion of a pin in the perforations 26 or by soldering or brazing and the like, or both. The flanges 20 and 21 may also be forced against the margin 8. The ring 18 is preferably provided with a projection or lug 27 to fit a recess 28 in the mouth of the housing 1, whereby the dia phragm 5 is positively held in a definite position of rotary adjustment relatively to housing 1 and the parts contained therein. In the embodiment of Figs. land 2 the polefaces 30 of cores 7 may be shaped and arranged relatively to the configuration of'the diaphragm as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2, in which case the pole-faces 30 of the cores 7 should be formed parallel with the contiguous portions of the diaphragm 5, but slightly spaced apart therefrom when the diaphragm is assembled as shown in Fig. 1. if desired, however, the relative positioning of the lug 27 and the notch 28 and the formation of the poles 3O .may be such as to accommodate the relative positioning of diaphragm and cores shown in Fig. 9 and also as shown in Fig. 10.

The ear piece 2 may have threaded engagement with housing 1 as indicated and serve "to clamp the diaphragm in place preferably between ledges 31 and 32, gri 'iping the ring 18. In the structure illustrated permanent magnets 33 usual in telephones of this class are indicated.

Embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6.

tion I have simulated this human mechanism in a lever system serving as a part of means for cooperatively relating. the electric circuit means with the diaphragm. For example, in Figs. 5 and 6, a. diaphragm and coils are relatively arranged as in Figs. 1 and 2, but the cores 7 have their faces 35 terminate adjacent the end of the coils 4 in a plane parallel to the plane of the margin 8 of the diaphragm 5 and an armature 36 directly cooperates with the cores 7 and is mounted upon a lever means 37, fulcrumed, by the hinge 38' supported by a bracket 39 in a suitable recess 40 in the housing 1 and fixed to the ring 18. Another lever 41 is fulcrumed by the hinge 42, secured to the ring 18 and extends down alongside the long convex face of the diaphragm 5. At the umbo 14 of the diaphragm is attached a lug 43 connected by a pin it passing through the slot 45 in the lever 41, the far end of which is hinged by the pin -:L6 to the lever 37. In this manner vibrations between the armature 36 and the uinbo 14 of the diaphragm 5 7@ have a mechanical connection through a system of levers. Otherwise the structure should be understood to be the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Embodiment of Fig. 7". In this embodiment the cores and diaphragm have the same relative positioning as in Figs. 5 and 6. The armature 36, however, is directly connected to the diaphragm 5 through the medium of a bracket 50 connected in a suitable manner as by brazing or soldering to the umbo 14-, and also to a locality 51 on the diaphragm. Otherwise the embodiment isto be understood to be the same as has been described.

Embodiment of Fig. 8.

The embodimentin this figure is similar to that of Figs. 5 and 6 except for the lever mechanism which takes the form of a bellcrank lever 52 fulcrunied by the hinge 53 to a bracket 5d attached to the ring 18 and carrying the armature 36 through the medium of spacedlugs 57 and an arch-shaped connection 58'; somewhat resembling the stapes in the human ear. The other arm of the bell-crank lever is hinged to a lug 59 suitably attached to the umbo n. Otherwise the structure may be the same as has been described.

Embodiment of Figs. 11 and 12.

Vhereas the diaphragms of the embodiments described in connection with Figs. 1- to 8 inclusive have been made of sheet metal preferably, and of. sheet iron or sheet steel for the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 of necessity, it is nevertheless realized that metal is not natures choice in the construction of the human tympanum. I therefore propose an embodiment of my invention more nearly approaching nature in the formation of the diaphragm. In the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 12 the diaphragm 5' takes the place of the diaphragm 5 and may preferably be formed of some material such as celluloid, parchment, sheep-skin, or any of the materials commonly used in making drum-heads and the like. -In forming such a diaphragm it may be stretched and shaped over one of the male dies previously described for the metal embodiments so thatits configuration substantially approximates that of the human 'tympanum. After the pliable diaphragm 5' has been properly shaped, its margin 8 may be clamped upon a suitably constructed substantially circular ring 18 comprising the body portion 21 and the clamping part 20 secured in a. 130

suitable manner as by screws 26. A lever '52 is hinged by suitable means such as a pin 53' to the ring 21 and carries the armature 36. Suitable means such as an adjustable screw 59 passes through the diaphragm 5 at the umbo 14 and is threaded into the cross-bar 70 of the lever 52. A spring 71 normally presses the armature 36 away from the diaphragm to maintain the diaphragm operatively tensed. The spring 71 may be attached to the ring 21' as by a screw 72 and its tension may be adjusted by the screw 7 3, the end of which operatively engages the spring to bend it out more or less as may be desired. In the anatomy of the human ear the membrane of the tympanum is more or less adjustably tensed through the medium of suitable muscles and tendons including primarily the tensor muscle so that this embodiment of Fig. 11 approaches the embodiment of the human ear anatomy both in the nature of the material of which the cusp-shaped diaphragm is constructed and in the fact that it is maintained under adjustable tension. By adjustment of the screw 59 as well as of 'the spring 71, a considerable ,nicety of adjustment may be effected.

Exactly what the reason is that the human sound responding diaphragm, the tympanum, much more faithfully responds to sound-vibrations than does a flat diskshaped diaphragm may not be subject to conclusive deduction from a study of anatomy, but the fact remains that the resonating chambers in the human voiceanatomy are fundamentally three in number and of the relative volumetric proportion 3 :4:5. It is also an unanswerable fact that a circular disk cannot assume a nodal arrangement which responds equally Well to each of three sets of pitch vibrations bearing the proportion 3:4:5. It is my belief that the dished or concave shape itself of the human tympanum individually increases the facility of nodal arrangement in a manner suitable for selective response to any one of or any combination of the usual tonic variations of the human voice.v I also believe that the eccentric dishing or possibly even the application of lever mechanism or other connecting means to an eccentric locality on a circular diaphragm, even though the same be not dishedymay contribute alone to the same useful result. Therefore, although I have combined both the eccentric arrangement and the'dishing, I believe that my What I claim and what I desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm in combination with operating means responsive to magnetic variations. 1

2. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm; electriccircuit means adapted to convey electric variations corresponding to sound variations and means for cooperatively relating said circuit means with said diaphragm.

3. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm; an electromagnetic coil; and magnetic means cooperatively relating'said coil with said diaphragm. Y

4:. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm having a substantially circular periphery; a set of one or more electro-magnetic coils; a housmg for contalnmg said diaphragm and said set substantially co-axially; and means for cooperatively relating said set with said eccentric diaphragm.

5. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm; an electromagnetic means; an armature cooperating with said electro-magnetic means; and a lever system connecting said armature with said diaphragm.

6. In sound functioning mechanism, an ecce'ntrically dished-diaphragm; an electromagnetic means; an armature cooperatlng -with said electro-magnetic means; and a lever system connecting said armature with said diaphragm at the umbo of eccentricity.

7. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm conforming in shape to that of the tympanum of the human ear; an electro-magnetic means; an

armature cooperating with said electromagnetic 'means; and a lever system connecting said armature with said diaphragm.

8. In sound functioning mechanism, an eccentrically dished diaphragm; a marginal ring for mounting said diaphragm; an electro-magnetic means; an armature cooperating with said electro-magnetic means; and a lever system connecting said armature with said diaphragm.

r. E. MILLER. 

